Terror at Sea: Three mysteries aboard a cruise ship

by Debby Mayne

  She shrugged. “My faith is new. I don’t know what to expect from God.” Except unconditional love. She gleaned that message from the small amount of Bible verses she’d read and grabbed hold of. But bad things happened. Even in the Bible. She wished she shared Lance’s confidence in their success. Fulfilling an eight month contract at sea would be difficult enough without a man like him waiting on shore.

  He smoothed back a wayward strand of hair from where it had gotten stuck in her lipstick. The slight touch sent bolts of electricity through her. Her flesh tingled. Maybe it was the romantic setting that lit her nerves on fire. She’d heard many times about shipboard romances. Especially among the crew.

  Could her attraction to Lance be superficial? An infatuation for a man who protected her from danger? Once the threat against her was over, would they feel the same about each other? Did she want to chance it?

  “Are you okay?” Lance cupped her cheek. She leaned into his palm.

  “I’m fine. Enjoying the night … and the company.” She turned her gaze back to the sea.

  Something floated far below them. Molly squinted, then climbed to the first rail and leaned over. “What is that?” She turned to look at him. “Is that a person? Debris?”

  Lance yanked her back to the deck. “Oh, God, help them.” He whirled and grabbed a life preserver from the nearby wall then tossed it into the water. “Stay here and keep an eye on that preserver. Try not to let it out of your sight.”

  She nodded as he dashed into the foyer, then turned back to watch the bobbing red and white circle below her. If it was a person in the water, they weren’t grabbing for the preserver. Instead, they bounced up and down like a piece of driftwood. “Grab a hold! Can you hear me?” Hilga? Molly peered without blinking until her eyes burned. She couldn’t tell. Please, God.

  “What’s happening?” A man and woman joined her. The woman gasped. Soon a small crowd gathered around Molly and another life preserver joined the first after someone tossed the ring overboard. A couple of minutes later, the body disappeared under the ship.

  *

  Lance banged on the security office door, shouted the alarm, then headed back to the dining room where he’d spotted the captain earlier. Thankfully, he still sat at his table, raising a glass of wine toward the lovely woman sitting beside him. Lance laid a hand on the captain’s shoulder. “Sir, may I speak with you a moment? It’s urgent.”

  “Certainly, Mr. Spencer.” Captain Barker stood and nodded to his guests. “Please excuse me.” He followed Lance back to the foyer.

  “It appears we may have a body overboard.”

  “Excuse me?” Captain Barker’s skin faded beneath his tan.

  “Come with me. I’ll explain on the way.” Lance hotfooted back in the direction of the deck with the captain keeping pace. “There’s someone in the water. I tossed over a life preserver and have someone standing by to keep it in sight. I’m pretty sure it’s a body, sir.”

  The captain’s eyes widened, and he sprinted toward the door as he pulled a two-way radio from his pocket. “This is Captain Barker. Meet me on the lower deck. Have a motor boat ready. We have a search and rescue.”

  “I’ll meet you down there.” Lance returned to where he’d left Molly, surprised to find a group of people leaning over the rail.

  “They’ve gone under.” Molly turned wide eyes in his direction.

  Lance gripped her arm. “Come on. The captain’s sending out a boat.” From the clothes the body wore, Lance had a possible identity. The mystery of where Hilga went was most likely solved. Now, they needed to find out whether she jumped or was pushed. He suspected the latter, and had no idea how to prove it.

  By the time they reached the captain and SVP, along with a couple of other crew members, a motor boat had been lowered into the ocean. One of the security staff roared away in the direction where the life preservers bobbed. Those waiting huddled in silent groups. Molly rested her head on Lance’s chest.

  Thirty minutes later, the man arrived back on ship with something covered in a bright blue tarp.

  Lance led Molly to a nearby chair. “Wait here.”

  “Why?”

  “Please.” When she nodded, he stood next to the captain. The security officer’s arms trembled as he carried his burden then laid it at the captain’s feet. His voice shook. “It’s the waitress, Hilga, sir. There isn’t much left of her. Nothing below the waist anyway. Looks like some marine life got to her. Most likely a shark.”

  Captain Barker rubbed his hands over his face. “Good Lord, help us. The poor girl.”

  Lance swallowed. There’d be little chance of proving foul play. He glanced to where Molly sat. Her wide-eyed gaze flicked from him to the tarp covered lump. Could he get away with lying? Tell her it’s something other than her friend?

  “As far as the passengers are concerned, the body floating in the water was a training dummy.” The captain speared them all with a sharp look. The SVP stared unblinking at him, then over to where a crowd had gathered. Several of the ship’s crew held them back. “Under no circumstances are they to be told the truth. That goes for the little lady sitting over there. Got it?”

  Lance nodded. Problem solved, although the lie would taste bitter rolling across his tongue. From the stricken look on Molly’s face, she held on to her nerves by a strand. He sat beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders.

  “It’s a training dummy. Used for CPR and stuff. Most likely someone’s idea of a joke.”

  “Really?” She took a shuddering breath. “I could’ve sworn it was Hilga. I’m so relieved.”

  Lance hugged her and closed his eyes against the lie. Forgive me, Lord. But he’d do anything to protect her, even tell a white lie. At least for the time being. Eventually, he’d come clean. There was no reason for him to frighten her further. “Come on.” He rose and took her hand. “Let’s enjoy what’s left of this evening. There’s dancing somewhere on this ship, right?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes sparkled. “There’s ballroom dancing.”

  “Perfect. I cut a mean Salsa.” He stepped back in a quick one-two step.

  “Try and keep up, hero. I’ve been dancing with my father since I was six.”

  Lance laughed as they strolled. Relieved to see some of the stress melt from her face.

  As they entered the Grand Foyer, he scanned the faces of the milling passengers. Murmurs of the drowned dummy floated around the room. Morrison leaned in a corner, his lips twisted in a sneer.

  19

  M olly lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Today was Sunday. The ship would dock in Lahaina and by the time Molly re-boarded in the afternoon, she’d have a new cabin mate. No time to mourn during a cruise it seemed.

  Although she gave Lance an A for effort at distracting her earlier with the promise of dancing, she didn’t buy his story of the tarp-covered practice dummy. She knew Hilga’s body lay under that covering. She’d caught a glimpse of blond hair. Who would be next? It wasn’t safe for anyone to be around her. From now on, she’d be a loner, accompanied by no one but Lance. Everyone close to her died. She was worse than the plague.

  “And feeling sorry for myself accomplishes nothing.” She beat a fist into the mattress.

  The Midnight Cruise killer, as she’d chosen to call the unknown person, was as predatory as a cat. No clues left behind, just Morrison’s general creepiness. He was too obvious as the culprit. Maybe the man was generally ill-tempered. Which meant, it could possibly be someone she couldn’t put a name to.

  She flopped to her side. Sleep continued to elude her. Her thoughts strayed to Lance. He danced like he’d been doing it all his life, easily leading her in the steps of the Salsa. She felt safer in his arms than anywhere else on the ship.

  Did she want to pursue a relationship with him?

  Yes, she did. She’d known him for five days, and he occupied her heart and mind.

  If not for his offer of protection, she would’ve only given the handsome man a cursory
glance, and then continued on her way. Could his presence on the ship be God’s provision? She rolled to her other side and punched her pillow. Couldn’t He have chosen a better way to introduce her to a man?

  Did the killer have a gun? Weapons weren’t allowed onboard, without a license. Not even pepper spray. How was she supposed to defend herself? By brute strength? Not likely. Not even with the little self-defense she now knew.

  She glanced at the alarm clock. Three a.m. She groaned. Sunday, her day off, she could sleep until seven and still be ready when Lance picked her up at eight. A whole day in Lahaina without working. A day to play tourist.

  Good grief. Molly tossed back the thin sheet and sat up. Sleep didn’t plan on arriving anytime soon. Not with the way her mind flitted from one subject to the next. She glanced at the coffee pot. Empty. She couldn’t leave the room. Too dangerous, plus Lance would have her head. She flopped back and closed her eyes. Sleep would come if she had to force it!

  A pounding on the door startled her awake. Molly glanced at the clock. Eight! “Hold on.” She slid from the bed, donned her robe, and pressed an eye to the door’s peephole. Lance grinned back at her, and she whipped the door open. “I’m so sorry. You woke me. Give me fifteen minutes.”

  “I’ve never known a woman to be ready in that amount of time, but okay. I’ll wait out here.” He shoved a mug of coffee in her hand. “This will help.”

  “You’re a Godsend.” She flashed him a smile and closed the door before breathing in the heady aroma. Ambrosia!

  She took a few sips, then rushed to shower. When she emerged from her cabin at 8:20, Lance glanced at his watch. “Only five minutes late. I’m impressed. Ready for breakfast?”

  “Yes, I’m starving.”

  “Do you want to eat here or on shore?”

  “Let’s eat the Continental breakfast. It’ll be fast.” Molly led the way to an upper deck, entered the dining room, and joined the buffet line. The tinkle of silverware and clanking of plates mingled with the drone of the passengers’ conversations. She inhaled the sweet scent of muffins and cinnamon rolls. After filling her plate with scrambled eggs and pastries, she chose a table in the back of the room.

  Lance paused beside her. “Switch seats with me.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a cop thing. I like to see the room and who enters.”

  Molly’s fork clattered to her plate. “Makes sense.” She rose and sat in the other chair, then scooted closer to Lance. Having her back to the room gave her the heebie-jeebies. Besides, there were worse things than sitting close to the man. He certainly smelled delicious.

  Lance set his plate on the table and winked at her. Heat flooded her face. Let him think what he liked. If it was a relationship he wanted, then that’s what he’d get. Despite her embarrassment, she grinned up at him and forked in a mouthful of eggs.

  *

  Lance loved the way Molly’s cheeks flushed when he teased her. She’d informed him the night before she was off duty today. He planned to act like a love-struck couple as they strolled the streets of Lahaina. Of course, with all the cars he’d rented, this vacation cost more than he’d budgeted for. He ducked his head to hide a smile as he thought of their mode of travel for the day.

  “What’s so funny?” Molly wiped her mouth, then tossed her napkin on the table.

  “Nothing.” Lance stood and offered her a hand. “Ready?”

  He ushered her out of the room and down the gangplank ahead of him, then stood back to gauge her reaction when she spotted the metallic-blue motorcycle parked at the curb. Her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands.

  “Seriously?”

  “I thought riding to the top of Haleakala Crater might be more fun on one of these.”

  “It will be grand. You did read about the road to Hana, right?”

  “Oh, yeah. Six hundred curves and fifty-four one-lane bridges. Half this side of the crater, half the other side.” Lance rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait. Is Hana okay? I figured we could visit Lahaina tomorrow and hit the more adventurous sites today, when you’re free.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea.” She grabbed a pink metallic helmet, put it on, then clasped the buckle under her chin. “I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before. Let’s go!”

  “Never?” Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

  “No, but I’ll hold on real tight.” She winked and slung a leg over the seat. “What are you waiting for?”

  Good Lord, save them. Lance donned his black helmet, took his seat in front, then gunned the engine. They roared away from the dock. He drove down Highway 30 then switched onto highways with names he couldn’t pronounce. Looming in the distance, deceptively farther than it appeared, rose the mighty House of the Sun. He only wished they’d been able to view the sunrise from the crater’s summit.

  The ocean breeze washed across his face and arms with the refreshing scent of salt and sea. Molly kept both arms wrapped around his middle. He couldn’t think of a better place to be. He could die a happy man right now. Sun, wind, surf, and Molly’s arms wrapped around his waist.

  The ocean pounded at the bottom of a sheer cliff to their right. The lush jungle rose on their left, sprinkled with miniature waterfalls. Molly laid her cheek on his back and squeezed. If Lance’s grin got any bigger, his face would split.

  After an hour, they veered off the Highway, passing pineapple fields and farmland to begin their ascent to the crater.

  *

  When she wasn’t relishing the feel of Lance’s strong back against her cheek, Molly swiveled her head from side to side, trying in vain to take in all the scenic view surrounding her. The trees thinned as they headed toward the top of the crater.

  By the time they let down the bike’s kickstand, her legs wobbled and her backside had fallen asleep. The physical discomfort couldn’t dim her anticipation of one of the world’s rare sights.

  Lance grabbed her hand and pulled her with him to the scenic overlook. He squeezed through several onlookers, pulling Molly with him. The surface of the moon spread beneath them with black sand and smaller craters. She lifted her Nikon from its case and started snapping photos. Far below them, a line of horseback riders disappeared over the horizon.

  “Maybe not one of the more colorful views we’ve seen,” Lance said. “But definitely one of the most unique.”

  “I think it’s gorgeous.” Molly moved to a part of the waist-high railing with a sheer drop on the other side.

  “That’s far enough.” Lance stopped a few feet from the edge.

  “I’ll be fine.” Molly lifted her camera and balanced her hips against the iron bars.

  A group of people crowded around her. Her feet slipped, and she felt herself going over. Letting the camera hang from its strap around her neck, she fought for a foothold. Her foot slipped, and she fell further. “Help! Lance!”

  Bile rose in her throat as bodies pressed closer, eager to catch a glimpse of the crater’s bottom. She struggled to press back and regain her footing. Instead, the movement sent her over until her stomach rested on the top bar. Her heart pounded in her ears. This was it. She’d die in paradise inside a volcano.

  Lance pulled her back. “This is why I don’t like heights. You could fall.”

  She fought to catch her breath. “I didn’t fall. Somebody pushed me.”

  20

  A re you sure?” Lance gripped her upper arms. Her skin gave under his fingers. He let up on the pressure so he wouldn’t leave bruises.

  “Positive.” Molly’s wide eyes stood out in her pale face. Tears shimmered, threatening to fall. “I … distinctly felt … two hands on my back then a forceful shove.”

  Lance whirled and scanned the crowd. A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt jumped into a dark sedan with tinted windows and roared out of the parking lot. He’d stood two feet away and someone had the nerve to try and harm her in front of his eyes. His line of work had previously showed him the range of people’s boldness, but this took the
cake.

  Rage boiled through his veins like the lava from the inactive Haleakala Crater. He grabbed Molly’s hand. “Come on!”

  “We aren’t going to follow him, are we?” Molly winced as he slammed the helmet on her head. Her eyes hardened. “We are? You’re crazy!”

  “Maybe so, but I want to put an end to this once and for all.” He clenched his jaw so tight the muscles ached. “I said I would protect you, and that’s what I’m going to do. Stopping this is the best way.”

  “And get us killed in the meantime.” She crossed her arms.

  “You could’ve been killed back there!” Lance flung an arm wide. What was wrong with her? Couldn’t she see the danger of continuing as they were? Every time she stepped out of her cabin, her life was in peril. Maybe he should just lock her in there and stand guard until they docked. She’d certainly be safer that way. “I thought you wanted to solve this.”

  “I do. But I don’t want to die doing it.”

  “I won’t let that happen.” Not if it was in his power. He’d die first.

  “Fine! But if we wind up dead, don’t come whining to me.” Molly climbed on the back of the motorcycle.

  Lance choked back a laugh at the irony in her remark. Tilting her chin, she glared.

  Fear radiated from her eyes, turning the green irises the color of the sea surrounding Maui. Seeing her almost tumble over the protective barrier had sent his heart plummeting and erased his trepidation of heights for a brief moment. Now, it raced like the engine of the bike, roaring in his ears and blocking out other sounds. He stared down the road to where the car had disappeared.

  “Let’s go.” Molly’s gaze shot daggers.

  “I’m sorry.” Lance wrapped his arms around her until her stiff posture relaxed. “I get … bossy, when I’m scared.” And overprotective. This wasn’t like any case he’d been on before. With his feelings for Molly growing, things were personal.

  “That’s an understatement.” Her voice sounded muffled against his chest. “Let’s find a place to grab lunch.”